Lake Union Herald

November 11, 1908

A Revival Needed

(Continued.)

The Influence of Godly Women

Wonderful is the mission of the wives and mothers and the younger women workers. If they will, they can exert an influence for good to all around them. By modesty in dress and circumspect deportment, they may bear witness to the truth in its simplicity. They may let their light so shine before all, that others will see their good works and glorify their Father which is in heaven. A truly converted woman will exert a powerful transforming influence for good. Connected with her husband, she may aid him in his work, and become the means of encouragement and blessing to him. When the will and the way are brought into subjection to the spirit of God, there is no limit to the good that can be accomplished.

The apostle writes, making mention of certain women who labored with him: “My brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. And I entreat thee also, true yoke fellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow laborers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord alway; and again I say, rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

An Inspired Picture of our Mission

The mission of the people of God in this age is outlined in the words of inspiration that describe the work of the Messiah: “The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn, to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.”

“And they shall build up the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.”

The Neglected Cities Must be Worked

There is an extensive work to be done in imparting a knowledge of the gospel message in all our cities of America, and especially in the southern states of America; and not only in America, but in all parts of the world. Many of them are lying in darkness. As we see the increase of iniquity in the earth, we know that there was never greater need of the exercise of Christlike virtue and compassion, never greater need of humble, faithful labor for those who are perishing in ignorance and sin. The knowledge of Christ, the word and wisdom of God, the essence of truth, was never more greatly needed. Never was there greater need that the truth should go forth as a lamp that burneth.

We are far behind in doing for our cities the work that God has given us to do. Souls who should now have the light of truth are still in ignorance of it. The word of God is represented as a light. His servants are declared to be light-bearers. “A city that is set on an hill,” the Saviour said, “can not be hid. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” The light is to be set on high, not hidden under a bushel. It is to be placed where it can give light to all who are in the house.

But before the precious light can shine to all that are in the house, there is needed a spirit of re-conversion in many of our people. For years the Lord has been dishonored, the glory due to him has been withheld, because of the way in which the needs of the cities have been disregarded and neglected. Cities have been left unworked that should have been given faithful and wise labor, and souls who might have been converted are still in ignorance of the last saving message.

“Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.”

Wake up, brethren, wake up and answer: “For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof shall go forth as brightness and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.”